Driving in Russia vs. Venezuela: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into the roads of Russia or Venezuela, it's crucial to understand the distinct driving regulations and customs that govern each country. From speed limits to road markings, these nations exhibit differences in lane usage and alcohol limits. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
venezuela:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
russia:
Yes
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
venezuela:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
venezuela:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
russia:
Yes
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
venezuela:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
venezuela:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
venezuela:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
venezuela:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
venezuela:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
venezuela:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
venezuela:
Yes
Signals
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
venezuela:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
venezuela:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
venezuela:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | 171 |
Contact: General Emergency
russia:
112
venezuela:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
venezuela:
171
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Yes, sometimes possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
venezuela:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay